Supreme Shari’ah Judge and Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor on Religious and Islamic Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash: "Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are greater than history, and greater than all of the nations and peoples… The one who determines the fate of Jerusalem is not the American president, and not America, and not all of the states of the world… The one who determined the fate of Jerusalem is Allah… Jerusalem is Arab, Islamic, Palestinian, and also Christian forever! Forever!... Trust in Allah, the balance will change. America will not remain America, and the present world will not remain as it is…
The most important, permanent, and influential factor in the battle for Jerusalem – and I say this to the entire nation – is the factor of religion and faith… The victory in Jerusalem is coming, it is coming. And Jerusalem is Palestine’s capital forever! Forever! And the rubbish of the American president isn’t worth – I say again – isn’t worth the urine of one Jerusalem child."

Abbas’ advisor’s statement came in response to US President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Dec. 6, 2017. Trump instructed the State Department to begin preparations to transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He added that the final borders of Jerusalem will be determined during negotiations.

Al-Habbash is Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor on Religious and Islamic Affairs, Supreme Shari'ah Judge, and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah Justice.